The
first book might be called a comical modern parable. The second involves a true
story of determination and revolution.

Picture Book:The Seven Silly Eaters

Author: Mary Ann Hoberman

Illustrator: Marla Frazee

Summary: In clever rhymed verse, this author presents the increasing toil of a mother whose 7 children each will eat only one food. That’s 7 different foods! Her trouble begins when lovingly Mrs. Peters wants to please her first child who will only drink milk at a certain temperature. Then each newly born children will consume only one different item. All of these foods require trips to the grocery store (That’s how Mr. Peters is involved.) and cooking. No pre-cooked foods here! On her birthday, the children decide to fix their mother the food that they love, but their kitchen skills are lacking and things don’t go well. Their combined efforts make a scrumptious mess that transforms the future meal prep of Mrs. Peters and the eating habits of her children.

Hanna’s Comments: This book was recently used in a lesson for elementary children about Peter’s dream in Acts 10 in which he sees a group of unclean animals upon a sheet coming down from the sky. God invites Peter to eat and Peter says, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” God responds, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” It is easy to see the connections between the picture book and the scripture. It is also easy to see God personified in Mrs. Peter’s loving devotion, provision, and patience. The later deserves a very different kind of conversation about human tendencies to make demands of God on our timeline and schedule.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Voyager Books, 1997

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Video, Audio Cassette

PBT Category: Pre 2K

Scripture Connections: The food laws in Leviticus 11; My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips (Psalm 63:5); Open your mouth wide and I will fill it (Psalm 81:10); Peter’s Dream (Acts 10)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group children and make connections with Acts 10 or read it to a group of adults and consider the personification of God in Mrs. Peters and
how we are like her picky children.

Picture Book:Alice Waters and the Trip to Delicious

Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Illustrator: Hayelin Choi

Afterward: Alice Waters

Summary: Alice Waters has been called the mother of the slow food movement here in the USA. This picture book offers her back story and her mission that every child in America (Dare I say the world?) would come with her on the “Trip to Delicious.” This involves teaching children the story of fresh food and encouraging them to taste good food, every day, even in their school lunches. As a child, Alice was often in search of Delicious. She journeyed to France to study food and returned to California where she opened her restaurant Chez: Panisse. Quickly she struggled to find fresh food for her restaurant. Through her efforts to secure fresh food, relationships with growers were begun, along with The Edible Schoolyard Project, where students can grow and cook their own food. Alice hopes that all children can
pursue their dreams to positively change the world sustained by Trips to Delicious. In the back of the book you’ll find an Afterward where Alice Waters encourages the readers, an Author’s Note where Jacqueline Briggs Martin offers a more detailed context to the story, a Bibliography and Resources where you’ll find websites and books on growing food and cooking food.

Hanna’s Comments: So what does a book about the beginnings of the slow food movement offer families of faith? In the text it says that Alice Waters knows that sharing good food can wake people up, create happiness, start a party, and make memories. What better activities for faith families? Make connections between the Trip to Delicious and our foundational precept: Oh taste and see that the Lord is good.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Readers to Eaters, 2014

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Biography, Post 2K

Scripture Connections: Oh taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8); Open your mouth wide and I will fill it (Psalm 81:10); My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips (Psalm 63:5); You satisfy the thirsty and fill the hungry with good things (Psalm 107:9)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of teens or young adults who are exploring vocational aspirations that will positively impact the world.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Picture Book:Luna and Me: The True Story of a Girl Who Lived in a Tree to Save a
Forest

Author & Illustrator: Jenny Sue Kosteki-Shaw

Summary: This
is a fictionalized version of the true story of Luna, a redwood that sprouted
nearly a thousand years ago, and Julia Butterfly Hill, the young woman who
saved Luna. Wildlife, such as birds and butterflies were drawn to both Luna and
Julia, hence Julia’s nickname. When Butterfly found a blue X on Luna’s trunk
and realized that it meant Luna would be chopped down soon, she determined to
save the tree by climbing it and staying there. With help and encouragement from
a community of friends and fellow-tree lovers, Butterfly managed to live in
Luna for over two years! The specifics of how Butterfly succeeds are
wonderfully illustrated here including some amazing discoveries Butterfly makes
within and upon Luna’s trunk. When challenges arise, we see dreams in which Luna
promises to hold Butterfly until she is less afraid, and we see Butterfly
develop into a promoter of trees and the forest. After 738 days, Butterfly
received a promise that Luna would not be cut down so Butterfly climbs down and
walks on the forest floor of The Luna
Preserve.

Hanna’s Comments: I love it when a picture book offers a female hero. If the
story is true, that’s great! If the hero is young and still passionate and
present in the media, that’s even better. Our girls need these role models and
our boys need to know that girls can be heroes too. Besides the Author’s Note at the end of the book,
you’ll find more details about the true, more complicated story of Luna and
Butterfly on this hero’s website. Here’s the link: http://www.juliabutterfly.com/. You’ll
also find some video that you might want to use to supplement your lesson and her
slogan, “Yes, yes, you make the difference.” Relate this message to your faith community’s
mission to make a positive difference in the world and the courage and
perseverance that your community is being called to demonstrate. As you show
the illustrations, be sure to have your audience look for Luna’s face in the
bark. OR Relate Butterfly’s ordeal and determination to the trials and faith of
biblical characters.

Scripture Connections: Jacob waits to marry Rachel (Genesis 29); the
trials of the Israelites
in the wilderness (begins Exodus 14); then shall the trees of the forest sing
for joy before the Lord (1st Chronicles 16:33)Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children or youth learning
about modern heroes who make great sacrifice for their beliefs.

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PBT is a joyful labor of love, requiring a huge investment of my time, energy, and money. If you have enjoyed or benefited from the PBT website, please consider saying thanks via a donation. I like knowing that my work is appreciated. Hanna